Penny Nichols and the Black Imp

by Joan Clark

  CHAPTER V

  Behind the Panel

  Penny was disheartened at the information. With the museum attendantout of the city, she could not hope to be of assistance to Amy Coulter.The situation looked very dark for the young sculptress unless otherclues regarding the identity of the art thief were discovered soon.

  "I wonder if this man Hoges really did go away on a vacation?" Pennymused. "He certainly vanished at the psychological moment!"

  Giving no hint of what was in her mind, she politely thanked the guardfor the information and returned home. After leaving her packages shecalled upon Susan to relate the adventures of the day.

  "I think you were wise to tell Amy to hide," Susan approved. "We knowher story is true, but it doesn't sound that way."

  Penny was not certain that her father would take a similar viewpoint.She intended to tell him about Amy that evening and ask his adviceregarding the situation, but directly after dinner Mr. Nichols isolatedhimself in his study, devoting himself to a new case upon which he wasworking.

  In the morning at breakfast Penny did manage to bring up the subject,but Mr. Nichols listened inattentively as he sipped his coffee.

  "I don't believe you heard a word I said," Penny complained finally.

  "What was that? Oh, yes, I did. You were saying something about AmyCoulter."

  "Never mind," Penny sighed. "I can tell your mind is a million milesaway tracking down a wicked criminal."

  "I hope the villain hasn't gone that far," Mr. Nichols chuckled. "Oh,by the way, you might tell Mrs. Gallup I'll not be home for dinner."

  Penny regarded her father severely.

  "Dad, have you forgotten what day this is."

  "Tuesday the twentieth."

  "This is the night of Mrs. Archibald Dillon's big reception."

  The detective looked disconcerted. "I forgot all about it," headmitted. "How I hate those affairs unless I'm there on a salarywatching for gem thieves! Mrs. Dillon is the worst social climber inBelton City."

  "Just the same we accepted this invitation and we'll have to go," Pennysaid sternly.

  "I can't make it. I have important work to do."

  "But Dad----"

  "You go alone, Penny, and do the honors for the family. Tell Mrs.Dillon that I came down with croup most unexpectedly. Tell heranything you like, only count me out."

  "She'll never forgive you if you don't go. Can't you possibly make it?"

  Mr. Nichols frowned in annoyance. "I suppose I might be able to droparound late in the evening. Possibly in time to take you home."

  "That would be better than not attending at all."

  "All right, we'll leave it that way then. I'll meet you about eleveno'clock tonight at Mrs. Dillon's."

  The detective hastily kissed his daughter goodbye and hurried away tothe office.

  Penny did not look forward to the coming party. While Mrs. Dillon'sreceptions were always elaborate, usually they were boring. Susan hadnot been invited and she doubted that many young people would attend.

  Penny sighed as she reflected that she might have spent a pleasantevening with a book. But she brightened a trifle as it occurred to herthat the party would give her an opportunity to wear her new blueevening gown and silver slippers.

  Eight o'clock found her en route to the Dillon residence in a taxi.The car swung into a curving drive and halted in front of an imposing,white colonial house. A liveried servant opened the automobile doorfor her and Penny joined several other guests who were entering themarble hallway.

  "Miss Penelope Nichols," announced a servant.

  It was all very formal and made Penny feel slightly ill at ease. Shepaused dutifully to greet her hostess.

  Mrs. Archibald Dillon, a plump woman, well past middle age, was gownedin an elegant beaded dress, low-cut and far too conspicuous for theoccasion. She had acquired wealth through marriage, but while she wasactive in many clubs and various types of charity work, she had neverbeen able to achieve her social ambitions.

  "My dear, didn't your father come with you?" she inquired, givingPenny's hand a slight pressure.

  "No, Mrs. Dillon, he was detained at the office on an important case.However, he will surely drop in before the evening is over."

  Penny selected a chair in a quiet corner of the reception room andsurveyed the throng. She saw few persons she actually knew althoughmany she recognized from having seen their photographs in thenewspapers. A long line of chairs along the north wall was completelyunoccupied. Apparently, Mrs. Dillon had expected far more guests thanhad arrived.

  A listless orchestra played for dancing, but only a few couples weremoving about the floor. There were no young people present. The onlyinteresting feature of the party was the expensive costumes of theguests. Many of the women wore elaborate evening gowns of velvet andbright silk, adorning themselves with glittering diamonds, whichhowever, could not compete with a string of matched pearls proudlydisplayed by the hostess.

  "This party resembles a style show," Penny thought. "As far as I'mconcerned it's going to be a big flop."

  Mrs. Dillon presently left her post near the door and circulated amongher guests, trying to create a false air of conviviality. Noticingthat Penny sat alone, she came over to her.

  "My dear, aren't you dancing? I shall find a nice partner for you."

  Before Penny could protest, the woman hurried away, returning almostimmediately accompanied by a man in evening dress. Penny was dismayedto recognize Hanley Cron. Upon seeing her, he paused, and a look ofkeen displeasure crossed his face.

  Unaware that she was creating an awkward situation, Mrs. Dillongushingly introduced the two. Hanley Cron bowed coldly.

  "We've met before," Penny said.

  "Oh! Then you're old friends."

  Penny politely refrained from comment, but Hanley Cron said coldly, ina tone which made his meaning very clear:

  "Hardly that."

  "Acquaintances I should have said," Mrs. Dillon murmured inembarrassment.

  "You will pardon me I hope," Hanley Cron observed aloofly. Turning hisback upon Penny he walked away.

  "Oh, my dear, I'm terribly sorry," Mrs. Dillon fluttered. "I'll findyou another partner."

  "_Please_ don't," Penny pleaded. "I really have no wish to dance atall."

  "Of course, if that's the way you feel----"

  "It is, Mrs. Dillon. I really am enjoying myself just watching theothers."

  Penny's statement was not quite true, for she had derived no pleasurefrom the party, and the rebuff she had received was quite enough tomake her wish that she had remained at home. However, the reply servedto satisfy the woman and she mercifully moved on to talk with anotherguest.

  "Hanley Cron is the most ill-mannered man I ever met," Penny thoughtindignantly. "I wish Dad would come, then I could go home."

  Her eyes smoldered wrathfully as she watched the art critic talkingwith a group of people near the refreshment table. She knew it wassilly to allow herself to become annoyed because of his insultingmanner, yet it was quite impossible to dismiss the man from her mind.

  Not wishing to even see him again that evening, she arose and exploredthe veranda. It was crowded so she came indoors again and wanderedthrough the rooms adjoining the reception hall. The library wasentirely deserted.

  Penny peered with interest at the books which lined the wall cases.Most of them did not appear to have ever been used. Selecting one atrandom she curled herself comfortably in an upholstered chair, sittingwith her back to the door.

  "I'll just stay in here for an hour or so and read," she decided. "Noone will miss me."

  The book was interesting and when Penny glanced at the little clock onthe table she was surprised to see that it was nearly eleven o'clock.

  "Dad should be coming along soon," she told herself. "He'll bewondering what became of me."

  Reluctantly she closed the book. Before she could leave her chair toput it away she heard voices just outside the library doo
r.

  Mrs. Dillon and a feminine guest entered the room. They were talkingin low tones.

  "I haven't told a soul except you," Mrs. Dillon declared. "Before Ishow you my treasure, you must promise never to reveal my secret. Ishouldn't care to be arrested."

  "Of course I promise," the other agreed.

  Neither of the women was aware of Penny's presence in the library forshe was concealed behind the high back of the chair. The girlhesitated to reveal herself, for already she had heard enough to causeMrs. Dillon embarrassment. She decided to remain where she was andkeep quiet.

  Mrs. Dillon carefully closed the library door and to Penny's amazement,locked it.

  "I don't want to risk having anyone come in," she explained to hercompanion. "As it is, my husband is quite provoked at me for makingthe purchase. It was such a wonderful bargain I couldn't resist. Buthe is afraid someone will learn of it."

  "You did take a chance in buying it," the other woman remarked.

  "Oh, the trouble will soon blow over and if I should be caught I canalways plead innocence. The dealer assured me I could sell it at anytime for twice what I paid."

  The floor creaked beneath Mrs. Dillon's weight as she crossed the room.The woman halted in front of a large picture which hung over themantel. By this time Penny was overcome with curiosity. Riskingdetection, she peeped out from behind her chair.

  Mrs. Dillon reached up and jerked a long silken rope which wassuspended from the picture. Immediately it swung aside, revealing ahidden opening in the wall.

  Mrs. Dillon drew back a blue velvet curtain and waited expectantly forher friend's praise. Exposed to view was a small oil painting.

  Penny recognized it as the stolen Rembrandt.